¡La exploración de la ingeniería química en España! (Exploring chemical engineering in Spain!) That’s exactly what the participants in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering’s Oviedo, Spain Summer Lab Program have been doing for the past five weeks.
The long-running program, held in conjunction with the University of Oviedo and the University of Wisconsin, allows Iowa State University undergrads to conduct lab experiments, write and present lab findings, participate in industry visits and more – all in the beautiful surroundings of northern Spain. The intensive course has seen this year’s group experience nine written reports and one oral presentation per student, three field trips, and as many extracurricular excursions as time has allowed. Participants will earn seven academic credits in CH E 391 and CH E 392, in addition to three credits with options for use. Students also get to enjoy the local culture.
ISU CBE student David Gardner said, “Taking my labs over the summer in Spain was a highlight of my undergrad at Iowa State! The labs are an opportunity to see new places, meet new people, and grow as a chemical engineer. The program is done jointly with the University of Wisconsin, so within the first week I’d explored new places with new friends. The facilities at the University are unique; there’s even a pilot plant area for larger experiments. Taking the labs in Spain was a way to focus on preparing a good report and improving my writing without having four or five other classes on my mind.”
ISU CBE faculty leader Karen Haman said, “The Iowa State University and University of Wisconsin contingents have done an excellent job of working together, and the host university, Universidad de Oviedo, has gone the extra mile to make sure students are making excellent progress in lab and taking in the full cultural experience outside of lab. I am most impressed by the expertise and passion of the instructors I have had the pleasure of working with here.”
This year’s Iowa State group has been in Oviedo since late May and will soon be back on the ISU campus. “The experience has broadened our students’ cultural horizons and will better prepare them for their careers in the globalized economy,” said Haman, adding a customary “¡Hasta luego!”
